Jono
Virat Kohli (c)
A test victory and ranking points, with barely a smidgen of a chance of a loss.There were, what, four and a half sessions left? Yes it rained and we knew it was going to but you don't declare on the forecast, not when you have all to lose and little to gain. Sure once we got to 400 you are getting in the realms of absurd as NZ weren't going to pull of a world record chase, but what was to be gained by leaving even the slightest of risks?
I defended Dravid in his slow batting and defensive captaincy back at The Oval in 2007 vs. England. But for me context is everything. The series victory of 1-0 then was gigantic for India over England. If we're being honest, there has barely been any joy that England have beaten NZ, and it would have been even more meh if it was 1-0. England now are better than India back in 2007. They are not only looking to win series, but test matches and ranking points too.
And even if you think 400 was not necessarily when they should have declared. Surely 430? Why all the way to 468?
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